CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (April 22, 2019) — Iowa Irish, a group of volunteer organizations dedicated to promoting the Irish language, will hold their Annual Irish Language and Culture Weekend at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on 14–16 June 2019. [Reáchtálfaidh Iowa Irish, grúpa eagraíochtaí deonacha atá tiomanta don Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn, a Deireadh Seachtaine Gaeilge agus Cultúir i gColáiste Coe, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, an 14–16 Meitheamh 2019.]
The workshop will include Irish-language classes at all levels, from beginner to advanced, taught by native Irish-speakers. Participants will be immersed in the language; outside of class-time, there will be music, games, and other activities, all aimed at helping students to learn Irish. [Cuimseoidh an cheardlann ranganna Gaeilge ag gach leibhéal, ó thosaitheoirí go hardleibhéal, arna múineadh ag cainteoirí dúchais Gaeilge. Beidh na rannpháirtithe tumtha sa teanga; taobh amuigh den am ranga, beidh ceol, cluichí, agus gníomhaíochtaí eile ann, a bheidh dírithe ar chuidiú le mic léinn Gaeilge a fhoghlaim.]
This will be the fifth year the event is held, and already there is much interest from students of past weekend courses. Wayne Shannon, Workshop Director and co-founder, has been impressed with the early response. "People are eager to come back to us. They have enjoyed their experience at a previous immersion course, and can't wait to do it again," Shannon said. "The past four years have shown us that there is a keen interest in Irish in the Midwest, and we look forward to this event continuing on well into the future." [Is é seo an cúigiú bliain den ócáid, agus tá spéis mhór ag mic léinn i gcúrsaí deireadh seachtaine roimhe seo. Tá Wayne Shannon, Stiúrthóir Ceardlainne agus comhbhunaitheoir, an-tógtha leis an bhfreagairt luath. "Tá fonn ar dhaoine teacht ar ais chugainn. Bhain siad taitneamh as a dtaithí ar chúrsa tumoideachais roimhe seo, agus ní féidir leo fanacht chun é a dhéanamh arís," a dúirt Shannon. "Le ceithre bliana anuas tá sé léirithe againn go bhfuil spéis mhór sa Ghaeilge san Midwest, agus táimid ag súil go leanfaidh an ócáid seo ar aghaidh go maith amach anseo."]
About Iowa Irish Iowa Irish is the collective-name given to three groups in Iowa that are dedicated to furthering the Irish language in the state. Based in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo, they hold regular Irish-language classes. They also work in cooperation with other organizations that are concerned with various aspects of Irish culture, including history, music, and dance, and they take part in events such as the Iowa Irish Fest (or Féile Iowa na hÉireann). [Is é Iowa Irish an t-ainm comhchoiteann a thugtar do thrí ghrúpa in Iowa atá tiomanta don Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa stát. Tá ranganna Gaeilge rialta acu bunaithe ar Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, agus Waterloo. Oibríonn siad freisin i gcomhar le heagraíochtaí eile atá bainteach le gnéithe éagsúla de chultúr na hÉireann, lena n-áirítear stair, ceol, agus damhsa, agus glacann siad páirt in imeachtaí ar nós nó Iowa hÉireann Féile.]
About the Irish Language The Irish language, sometimes called Gaelic, is one of Europe’s oldest living-languages. It is the first official language of the Republic of Ireland, and is a recognized language of the European Union. It has a fascinating and turbulent history and is strongly connected with all aspects of Irish culture and heritage. A working knowledge of this language would be an invaluable asset to anyone with an interest in Celtic mythology, Irish music, dance, literature, history, or genealogy. [Tá an Ghaeilge, ar a dtugtar an Ghaeilge uaireanta, ar cheann de na teangacha beo is sine san Eoraip. Is í an chéad teanga oifigiúil de chuid Phoblacht na hÉireann í, agus is teanga aitheanta í de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh. Tá stair suimiúil agus chorraitheach aici agus tá baint láidir aici le gach gné de chultúr agus oidhreacht na hÉireann. Bheadh sár-luach saothair ag duine ar bith a bhfuil spéis aige i miotaseolaíocht Cheilteach, ceol Éireannach, damhsa, litríocht, stair, go háirithe.]
